As designers and landscapers across the region finalise their plans for show gardens at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show, there is one special lady looking forward to making a spectacular come back.
Roxy, a newly restored 1966 VW campervan, will take centre stage in the debut show garden of Ampleforth designer Susanne Guthrie, who is creating a display for the NSPCC.
[private] Susanne, a volunteer for the national children’s charity for over 10 years, bought Roxy in 2008 and completed her painstaking restoration in the last few weeks. The iconic campervan will symbolise the happy end to a childhood journey, from fear and darkness to safety and hope, in the garden.
Mum of three Susanne studied horticulture at Bishop Burton College and has a Diploma in Plantsmanship from the London Physic Garden, but is better known for designing hats for her North Yorkshire-based millinery business.
She said: “I have designed gardens before, but not professionally. When the NSPCC said they would like to raise their profile with a display at Harrogate Flower Show I was delighted to get involved and recruited Roxy to help put across the charity’s message.”
Harrogate Flower Show, 12 – 14 September, is the only gardening event to offer a range of autumn gardens. New for 2014 is Inspiration Street showcasing small-scale designs for tricky front gardens, set against the backdrop of a traditional street scene.
Roxy can be found on The Avenue, where larger scale gardens and a new section, Community Spirit, will be featured.
Nick Smith, Show Director, said: “A garden naturally changes through the seasons and so we are delighted to be able to complete the growing year for our visitors, with a showcase of inspirational designs that capture the colours and harvest hues of late summer and autumn.
“A show garden is also a great way to tell a story for many charities and organisations, who want to capture the public’s imagination. I am sure Roxy will be an extremely popular attraction for visitors to the show and there is certainly no better place for her to make her come back!”
Staged at the Great Yorkshire Showground, the autumn show was last-year rated in the top three UK garden events by Which? Other attractions include displays by nearly 100 top plant nurseries, a celebration of all things apple, giant veg competition and Britain’s biggest exhibition by specialist gardening groups featuring over 5,000 beautiful autumn blooms.
For more details about the 2014 autumn show gardens visit flowershow.org.uk
Tickets: Fri/Sat £13.50 when purchased before 2 September; £16.00 on the gate. Sun £12.00 in advance or £14.50 on the gate. Under 16s go FREE when accompanied by an adult. Book on line at www.flowershow.org.uk or call 01423 546157.[/private]
